Simply operating push plunger pump housed in a container



g- 26, 1969 E. PFEIFFER ET Al- SIMPLY OPERATING PUSH PLUNGER PUMP HOUSEDIN A CONTAINER Filed June 5, 1967 3 Y 5 Z. w a a Z \\M m .r 5

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ATTORNEYS United States Patent l P 41,213 Int. Cl. F04b 21/04; G01f11/06 US. Cl. 103-188 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A handactuated simply operating push plunger pump with a compression spring 3in the pump cylinder '1, the spring pressing against a valve plate 4 ofan outlet valve that is opened by means of a hollow plunger stem 5 butwith the plate pressing against a valve seat in pump plunger 6a, 6bwhile the pump is at rest, in combination with a sealing sleeve 7 in thepump cylinder in a position between the plunger and the closure cap 13on the container where the sleeve will be engaged, while the pump is atrest, by a plunger consisting of a cult 6a and a neck 6b, there being inthe pump cylinder a pressure equalizing opening which in the restingposition is at the level of the space between the plunger cuff and thesealing sleeve whereby the air equalizing path is sealed off by thelatter during the resting stage, but where during the actuating strokethe inside of the container is kept in communication with the outsideatmosphere, characterized in that the plunger 6a, 6b with its thinwalled elastic neck 6b is adapted to be axially coordinated with anenlargement 5b on the plunger stem 5.

Cross-references to related applications Applicants claim priority under35 U.S.C. 119 for German application P 41213, filed Jan. 17, 1967.

The disclosure of copendin'g U .S. patent application Ser. No. 557,765,now Patent No. 3,406,909, filed June 15, 1966 is incorporated herein.

Background of the invention The field of the invention is apparatus fordispensing with a discharge assistant.

The present invention is particularly related to hand actuateddispensers which are screwed onto the tops of perfume bottles or otherliquid containers where it is desired to dose, spray or atomize thecontents thereof. The state of the prior art dispensers is representedby German Patent 1,201,684, granted Jan. 29, 1964, German Utility Patent1,920,632, granted Apr. 12, 1964, German Utility Patent 1,735,455,granted 'May 2, 1956, and French Patents 760,904 and 1,177,620,published Sept. 15, 1933 and June 28, 1957 respectively.

The prior art dispensers, particularly the dispenser of German Patent1,201,684, have the disadvantage of requiring that the parts be veryaccurately dimensioned which further requires difficult and expensivefinishing, and as a result delays the closing of the outlet valve.

Summary of the invention Having in mind the limitations of the priorart, it is a general object of the present invention to avoid saidlimitations.

An object of the present invention is to provide a hand operated pumpdispenser wherein the suction stroke commences without delay andimmediately upon the release of the plunger.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will 3,463,093 PatentedAug. 26, 1969 ice become apparent upon study of the specification,drawings and claims.

According to the present invention, a hand actuated simply operatingpush plunger pump with a compression spring in the pump cylinder isprovided. The spring presses against a valve plate of an outlet valvethat is opened by means of a hollow plunger stem. While the pump is atrest the plate presses against a valve seat in a pump plunger. A sealingsleeve is combined in the pump cylinder in a position between theplunger and the closure cap of the container. The sleeve is engaged,while the pump is at rest, by a plunger consisting of a cutf and a neck.The pump cylinderv has a pressure equalizing opening which in theresting position is at the level of the space between the plunger cuifand the sealing sleeve whereby the air equalizing path is sealed off bythe latter during the resting stage. During the actuating stroke theinside of the container is kept in communication with the outsideatmosphere. r

A particular feature of the present invention comprises having theplunger connected by a thin walled elastic neck to the side of theplunger stem.

The pump of this invention is suitable for many purposes, e.g., fordosing, spraying and atomizing from suitable containers from which aliquid, e.g., a combustible volatile, etching or odoriferous liquid,either goodor bad-smelling, can be expelled.

The pump of the present invention has important advantages over knownpumps. At the beginning of the pressure movement, the compressed liquidin the cylinder 0pposes the downward movement of the plunger cuff sothat the elastic neck portion thereof is compressed by continueddownward movement of the valve stem. Upon termination of the downwardmovement and release of the hand-applied pressure and escape of fluidfrom the cylinder into the plunger rod, the elastic neck portionforcibly engages the plunger cuff with the valve plate, thereby closingthe outlet valve. Closure of the outlet valve occurs as soon as the handapplied pressure is released, regardless of whether or not the suctionmovement commences immediately. Complete suction action commencestherefore immediately upon initiation of the suction movement. In theprior pumps this occurs somewhat later, namely not until after the valveplate has been pressed against the plunger cuff during the suctionstroke. During this time interval there is no suction force exertedbecause air from the outside can then enter the pump cylinder throughthe hollow plunger rod. A quick and dependable closing of the outletvalves in the prior constructions is dependent upon the friction betweenthe plunger cuff and the inner wall of the pump cylinder being greaterthan the friction between the plunger cuff and the plunger stem. Thismeans that the dimensions of the plunger must be critically accurate ifdependable functioning of the pump is to be expected. But even if a.plunger of such exact dimensions is produced, there is always thepossibility, with elastic substances of the kind that must be used insuch devices, of the frictional characteristics of the parts undergoingunfavorable changes. In the pump of the present invention, thefunctioning does not depend on such frictional relations.

In the present invention the plunger neck is securely attached andsealed in an annular groove around the plunger rod. This also has theadvantage of keeping the connection between the plunger and the plungerrod permanently sealed. It is therefore not possible during the pressurestroke for any liquid to enter the space between the plunger neck andpump cylinder which would prevent such liquid from being ejected by thenozzle as happens with prior pumps under normal conditions. It is alsoadvantageous to have the sealing sleeve inserted with a friction fitinto the pump cylinder soithat while in the resting position thepressure equalizing path is sealed off by the tight contact of theplunger cuff with the lower exposed and preferably innermost edge of thesealing sleeve.

The present construction also has other advantages. In the prior pumpsthe sealing sleeve is formed of rubber because in its resting positionwhere is is continually under spring pressure, it is urged against anadditional closure plate. It should be made of rubber so that it willresume its original form even after remaining for long periods of timeunder pressure. Rubber, however, has the disadvantage of deterioratingin the presence of various liquids, with loss of its originalproperties. In the pump of this invention, it is not only theconstruction that is greatly simplified (by the omission of the pressureplate), but it is also possible by choice of suitable materials for thesealing sleeve e.g., Teflon or polypropylene, to avoid chemical attackby various liquids thereon. The use of a rigid material for the sealingsleeve also has the advantage that in the resting condition where theplunger cuff seats on the inner edge of the sleeve, the force of thespring is exerted only on the sleeve. The plunger neck is therefore notunder compression while in the resting condition so that even afterremaining idle for a long period of time it does not lose itselasticity.

Finally, another advantageous feature of the pump of this invention isthat inside the pump cylinder in the region of the plunger cuff at theend of its compression stroke there is an annular enlargement in such aposition that between the plunger cuff and the enlargement there is anannular slit with additional advantages. In prior pumps during thepressure stroke an elastic expansion occurs, especially of the pumpcylinder and plunger, as a result of the increased fluid pressure. Atthe end of the pressure stroke this expansion returns to normal with thefluid pressure diminishing only gradually. The result is that theexpulsion of the liquid occurs only gradually. This is, however, adisadvantage for pumps that are to be used for different purposes. If,for example, the pump forms part of an atomizer, droplets of liquid willthen remain on the nozzle after each operation which are undesirable.Also, when the pump is used for dosing purposes, exact dosing will notbe possible. These disadvantages are avoided by the pump of thisinvention by the provision that just before arriving at the lower end oftravel of the plunger, the fluid pressure in the cylinder is suddenlyvented through the relatively wide slit between the plunger and theenlarged portion of the inner cylinder wall. This causes the expulsionfrom the nozzle to be suddenly interrupted.

Description of the drawing In the two figures of the drawing, anembodiment of the pump of this invention is shown. The two figures showthe pump in longitudinal section.

FIGURE 1 shows the pump in its stationary condition; and

FIGURE 2 shows the pump at the end of its forward stroke.

In the lower end of the pump cylinder 1 the inlet valve is shown in theform of a ball valve 2. The strong pressure spring 3 presses directlyagainst the valve plate 4 which is fastened to the lower end of theplunger rod 5 and presses against a plunger 6a, 61: mounted on theplunger rod. The plunger consists of a cuff 6a and a neck 6b, the latterbeing firmly seated in an annular groove 5a in an enlarged portion 5b ofthe plunger rod 5. In the upper portion of the pump cylinder 1 a sealingsleeve 7 of rigid material is pressed down to a depth limited by theflange 8. The sealing member 9 forms a seal between the pump cylinder 1and the opening of the container 12. A pressure equalizing opening 10 isformed in the wall of the pump cylinder 1 to keep the pressure in thecontainer 12 equal to that of the atmosphere, and also to return to thecontainer any leakage liquid from the cylinder. The lower end of theplunger has a transverse bore 11 to permit liquid to enter the bore 15in the plunger rod 5 when the outlet valve is open. The inner wall ofthe pump cylinder is enlarged in the region of furthest downwardmovement of the plunger cuff 6a. The pump carries a closure cap 13 formounting it on the container 12. The lower end of the sealing sleeve 7presents an edge 14 against which the plunger cuff 6a is pressed whilethe pump is at rest. The plunger rod 5 carries at its upper end anactuating head 16 to the side of which an atomizing nozzle 17 isfastened.

Description of the operation of the preferred embodiment The pump ofthis invention operates as follows:

While at rest, as FIGURE 1 shows, the compression spring 3 presses thevalve plate 4 against the plunger cuff 6a to urge the latter against theinner edge 14 of the sealing sleeve 7. The effect of this is on the onehand to close the fluid passageway through the outlet valve formed bythe valve plate 4 and the plunger cuff 6a to the bore 15 in the plungerrod 5, and on the other hand the engagement of the plunger cuff 6a withthe inner edge 14 of the sealing sleeve 7 prevents the liquid fromescaping through the air pressure equalizing opening 10, along thesealing sleeve 7 and through the slit between plunger rod 5 and theclosure cap 13.

If the upward pressure of the spring 3 is counteracted, a downwardmovement will first be imparted to the plunger rod 5 and to the plungercuff 6a mounted thereon. This increases the fluid pressure in the lowerpart of the pump cylinder 1 acting upwardly against the plunger cuff 6ashifting the latter upwardly along the plunger rod 5. The plunger neck61] is thereby compressed and bulged out, thereby opening the outletvalve. The liquid in the lower part of the pump cylinder now escapesthrough the transverse bore 11 and through the bore 15 of the plungerrod. Shortly before the end of the pressurizing movement (see FIGURE 2),the plunger cuff reaches the annular enlargement 1a in the inside wallof the cylinder 1. An annular passageway of relatively large crosssection is thereby formed between the plunger cuff 6a and the annularenlargement 1a in the inside cylinder wall, whereby the escape openingfor the liquid is increased and a sudden pressure drop in the pumpcylinder 1 is achieved. The elastic bulging out of the plunger neck 6bis thereby caused to collapse. After the pressure upon the bottom of theplunger cuff 6a has been relieved, the elastic compression of the neck6b causes the cuff to move downward toward the valve plate 4. The outletvalve is forcibly and quickly closed thereby, and any further escape ofliquid is effectively prevented, independently of the initiation of thesuction stroke. Hence there is no drop formation at the outlet side ofthe nozzle 17. As soon as the downward pressure on the actuating knob 16and plunger rod 5 is relieved, the knob and the rod together with theplunger cuff 6a are moved upwards by the spring 3 whereby the outletvalve is already closed. As soon as the plunger cuff 6a has left theannular enlargement 1a in the pump cylinder 1, it forms a fluid-tightseal with the inner wall of the cylinder so that upon further upwardmovement it diminishes the pressure in the cylinder 1, thereby drawingmore liquid from the container 12 upwardly past the ball check valve 2.After the end of the upward movement the entire system will shut offfrom the outside as above described, thereby rendering it fluid tightregardless of the position of the pump and container.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modificationin order to adapt it to different usages and conditions.

We claim:

1. A hand-actuated push plunger pump adapted to be mounted on acontainer (12) and comprising a pump cylinder 1) with a flanged upperend that is held firmly with a fluid-tight seal upon the upper end ofthe container by means of a cap (13), a sealing sleeve (7) of rigidmaterial positioned in the upper end of the pump cylinder, an upwardlyopening check valve (2) in the lower end of the pump cylinder, a hollowplunger rod (5) urged upwardly by a spring (3) and carrying an actuatinghead (16) with an atomizing nozzle (17) at the upper end of the rod anda valve plate (4) over its lower end, the plunger rod having an enlargedportion (5b) and carrying an upwardly tapered plunger (6a) with anelastic bulgable neck (6b) attached at its upper end with a fluid tightfit to the plunger rod immediately below the enlarged portion (5b), saidplunger having suflicient limited sliding movement on the rod to formfluid-tight contact with both the valve plate (4) and the lower end ofthe sealing sleeve (7) when the plunger rod is at the upper end of itsupward movement, the plunger rod having a transverse radial bore (11)through its lower end between the plunger and the valve plate (4) andthe cylinder (1) having a transverse pressure-equalizing opening (10)through its wall between the sealing sleeve (7 and the plunger (6a) sothat when the plunger rod is moved downwardly by hand the plunger willfirst disengage the sealing sleeve to bring the inside of the containerinto communication with the outside and then, with the help of theincreased fluid pressure in the cylinder, the plunger will also becomesuddenly disengaged from the valve plate (4) to permit the pressurizedfluid in cylinder (1) to flow through bore (11) into the hollow plungerrod (5) and out through the atomizing nozzle until when near the end ofdownward movement the diminished fluid pressure in the cylinder willpermit sudden downward movement of the plunger into fluid-tightengagement with the valve plate (4) to keep the transverse bore (11)closed during the ensuing upward movement and until after the nextdownward movement has commenced.

2. A hand-actuated push plunger pump adapted to be mounted on acontainer (12) and comprising a pump cylinder (1) with a flanged upperend that is held firmly with a fluid-tight seal upon the upper end ofthe container by means of a cap (13), a sealing sleeve (7 of rigidmaterial positioned in the upper end of the pump cylinder, an upwardlyopening check valve (2) in the lower end of the pump cylinder, a hollowplunger rod (5) urged upwardly by a spring (3) and carrying an actuatinghead (16) with an atomizing nozzle (17) at the upper end of the rod anda valve plate (4) over its lower end, the plunger rod having an enlargedportion (5b) with an annular groove (5a) and carrying an upwardlytapered plunger (6a) with an elastic bulgable neck (6b) attached at itsupper end to the plunger rod by seating in annular groove (5a), saidplunger having limited sliding movement on the rod to form fluid-tightcontact with both the valve plate (4) and the lower end of the sealingsleeve (7) when the plunger rod is at the upper end of its upwardmovement, the plunger rod having a transverse bore (11) through itslower end between the plunger and the valve plate 4) and the cylinder(1) having a transverse pressure-eqalizing opening (10) through its wallbetween the sealing sleeve (7) and the plunger (6a) so that when theplunger rod is moved downwardly by hand the plunger will first disengagethe sealing sleeve to bring the inside of the container intocommunication with the outside and then, with the help of the increasedfluid pressure in the cylinder, the plunger will also become suddenlydisengaged from the valve plate (4) to permit the pressurized fluid incylinder (1) to flow through bore (11) into the hollow plunger rod (5)and out through the atomizing nozzle until when near the end of downwardmovement the diminished fluid pressure in the cylinder will permitsudden downward movement of the plunger into fluid-tight engagement withthe valve plate (4) to keep the transverse bore (11) closed during theensuring upward movement and until after the next downward movement hascommenced.

3. A hand-actuated push plunger pump adapted to be mounted on acontainer (12) and comprising a pump cylinder (1) with a flanged upperend that is held firmly with a fluid-tight seal upon the upper end ofthe container by means of a cap (13), a sealing sleeve (7) of rigidmaterial positioned in the upper end of the pump cylinder, an upwardlyopening check valve (2) in the lower end of the pump cylinder, a hollowplunger rod (5) urged upwardly by a spring (3) and carrying an actuatinghead (16) with an atomizing nozzle (17) at the upper end of the rod anda valve plate (4) over its lower end, the plunger rod also carrying anupwardly tapered plunger (6a) with an elastic bulgable neck (6b)attached at its upper end to the plunger rod, said plunger havinglimited sliding movement on the rod to form fluid-tight contact withboth the valve plate (4) and the lower end of the sealing sleeve (7 whenthe plunger rod is at the upper end of its upward movement, the plungerrod having a transverse bore (11) through its lower end between theplunger and the valve plate 4) and the cylinder 1) having a transversepressure-equalizing opening (10) through its wall between the sealingsleeve (7) and the plunger (6a) so that when the plunger rod is moveddownwardly by hand the plunger will first disengage the sealing sleeveto bring the inside of the container into communication with the outsideand then, with the help of the increased fluid pressure in the cylinder,the plunger will also become suddenly disengaged from the valve plate(4) to permit the pressurized fluid in cylinder (1) to flow through bore(11) into the hollow plunger rod (5) and out through the atomizingnozzle until when near the end of downward movement the diminished fluidpressure in the cylinder will permit sudden downward movement of theplunge into fluid-tight engagement with the valve plate (4) to keep thetransverse bore (11) closed during the ensuing upward movement and untilafter the next downward movement has commenced, said cylinder (1) havingan internal enlargement (1a) into which the plunger moves during thelowermost portion of its downward movement so as to leave an annularpassageway between the plunger and the inner surface of the enlargement.

4. The pump of claim 2 whose sealing sleeve (7) has at its upper end aflange (8) that is clamped between the flanged upper end of the cylinder(1) and the cap (13), the lower end of the sleeve forming an annularshoulder inside the cylinder (1).

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,159,316 12/1964 ODonnell et a1.222-321 3,187,960 6/1965 Gorman 103-178 X 3,194,447 7/ 1965 Brown222-321 3,228,570 1/ 1966 Steiman 103-178 X 3,257,961 6/1966 Schlenker103-178 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,201,684 1/ 1964 Germany.

WHLIAM L. FREEH, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 222-321

